Surgical forceps capable of adjusting sealing pressure based on vessel size

ABSTRACT

A surgical forceps includes a housing having one or more shafts attached thereto and an end effector assembly disposed at a distal end thereof. The end effector assembly includes first and second jaw members disposed in opposing relation relative to one another. At least one jaw member is moveable from an open position to a closed position for grasping tissue therebetween. The jaw members include at least one sensing component that determines an output of one or both of cross-sectional diameter and composition of tissue disposed between the jaw members. A processing component is configured to receive the output and determine a seal pressure for adequately sealing tissue disposed between the jaw members based upon the output. A regulating component regulates the movement of the jaw members between the first and second positions such that the determined seal pressure is applied to tissue disposed therebetween.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation application of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 12/619,100, filed on Nov. 16, 2009, the entirecontents of which are hereby incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND

1. Technical Field

The present disclosure relates to a surgical forceps, and moreparticularly, to a surgical forceps and method for determining andapplying a minimum seal pressure to tissue based upon tissue diameterand/or composition.

2. Background of Related Art

As an alternative to open forceps for use with open surgical procedures,modern surgeons use endoscopic or laparoscopic instruments for remotelyaccessing organs through smaller, puncture-like incisions. Morerecently, Natural Orifice Translumenal Endoscopic Surgery (NOTES)procedures have been developed, for example, to access the abdominalcavity via the mouth, for scar-less surgery. Much like laparoscopy,NOTES is beneficial to patients in that it reduces healing time.However, while these minimally invasive surgical procedures areadvantageous in many respects, the reduced access area presents newproblems for surgical instrument design. For example, achieving a highseal pressure with a surgical forceps becomes increasingly moredifficult as the size of the jaw members decreases. Accordingly,determining a minimum seal pressure needed to effectively seal tissuehaving a given diameter would be helpful in designing surgicalinstrument for use in laparoscopic or NOTES procedures.

Further, the proper seal pressures, or seal pressure ranges, required toeffectively seal vessels of particular diameters is also important.Accurate application of pressure is important to oppose the walls of thevessel, to reduce the tissue impedance to a low enough value that allowsenough electrosurgical energy through the tissue, to overcome the forcesof expansion during tissue heating, and to contribute to the end tissuethickness which is an indication of a good seal. If the pressure is notgreat enough, the vessel may not properly or effectively seal and if thepressure is too great, the seal may shred or tear. It has been foundthat the amount of force required to produce an effective seal is atleast partly dependent on the size and composition of the tissue to besealed. Therefore, in order to help ensure an adequate seal, it would beadvantageous to initially determine the size and/or composition of thetissue to be sealed and then apply the appropriate seal pressure.

Accordingly, a study was conducted to determine how seal pressure andblood vessel size influence the quality of the seal produced, measuredthrough burst pressure. Seal pressure refers to the force imparted totissue disposed, for example, between opposing jaw members of a surgicalforceps. Burst pressure is the pressure required to open, or burst, apreviously sealed vessel by forcing a fluid through the sealed vessel.The study was designed using a central composite response surface, awell known Design of Experiments (DoE) variation. The DoE contained twofactors: seal pressure and vessel size. The range of values tested forseal pressure was 40 psi to 120 psi, while the vessel diameters rangedfrom 2 mm to 6 mm.

In testing, porcine renal arteries were removed and dissected and thediameter of the vessel was measured. The vessel was then placed on aresearch tool used for electrothermal bipolar vessel sealing. Thepressure between the jaw members was set on the research tool tocorrespond with the appropriate seal pressure dictated by the DoE. Avessel seal was produced by applying bipolar energy to the seal platesusing a ForceTriad™ generator manufactured by Valleylab (now CovidienEnergy-based Devices) of Boulder, Colo. Once the seal was made, thevessel was held in place while water was pumped through the vessel forburst testing. A pressure calibrator was used to determine the maximumpressure the vessel could withstand prior to bursting. The burstpressures for all of the vessel sizes and pressure combinations wereinput into a statistical software package for further analysis. AnAnalysis of Variation (ANOVA) evaluation revealed that both vessel sizeand seal pressure were significant factors in determining the burstpressure (quality) of the resultant seal.

SUMMARY

In accordance with the present disclosure, a surgical forceps isprovided. The forceps includes a housing and one or more shafts attachedto the housing. An end effector assembly is disposed at a distal end ofthe shaft(s). The end effector assembly includes first and second jawmembers disposed in opposing relation relative to one another. One orboth of the jaw members is moveable from an open position to a closedposition for grasping tissue. The jaw members include one or moresensing components that determine an output of cross-sectional diameterand/or composition of tissue disposed between the jaw members. Aprocessing component is configured to receive the output from thesensing components and determine a seal pressure for adequately sealingtissue based upon the output. A regulating component, in communicationwith the processing component, is configured to regulate the movement ofthe jaw members such that upon movement from the open to the closedposition, the determined seal pressure is applied to tissue disposedbetween the jaw members.

In one embodiment, the sensing component includes a pair of electrodesdisposed through each of the jaw members. The electrodes are configuredto pass an electrical signal through tissue disposed between the jawmembers. The electrodes can thereby measure one or more electricalcharacteristics of tissue and determine the cross-sectional diameterand/or the composition of tissue. In one embodiment, the electrodes areconfigured to measure the impedance through tissue.

In another embodiment, the processing component includes an electricalcircuit configured to receive the output from the sensing component anddetermine a seal pressure corresponding to that output.

In yet another embodiment, a generator, in communication with theprocessing component is provided. The generator is configured to storeuser-input data and use that data to, in conjunction with the processingcomponent, determine a seal pressure corresponding to the output fromthe sensing component.

In still yet another embodiment, the regulating component includes amechanically-driven system, an electrically-driven system and/or anelectro-mechanically-driven system to regulate the seal pressure betweenthe jaw members.

In yet another embodiment, the seal pressure determined by theprocessing component is a minimum seal pressure required to adequatelyseal tissue according to the output.

In another embodiment, the seal pressure determined by the processingcomponent is a range of seal pressures for adequately sealing tissueaccording to the output.

A method of sealing tissue is also provided in accordance with thepresent disclosure. The method includes providing a surgical forcepshaving first and second jaw members disposed in opposing relationrelative to one another. One or both of the jaw members are moveablefrom an open position to a closed position for grasping tissue. Themethod also includes the steps of determining a cross-sectional diameterand/or a composition of tissue disposed between the jaw members,determining a seal pressure for adequately sealing tissue according tothe cross-sectional diameter and/or composition, and regulating themovement of the jaw members. The movement of the jaw members isregulated such that upon movement from the open to the closed position,the seal pressure is applied to tissue disposed the jaw members.

In another embodiment, the determined seal pressure is a minimum sealpressure required to adequately seal tissue.

In yet another embodiment, the determined seal pressure is a range ofseal pressures for adequately sealing tissue.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Various embodiments of the subject instrument are described herein withreference to the drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a top, perspective view of a surgical forceps including ahousing, a handle assembly, a shaft, and an end effector assembly, foruse with the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a enlarged, side, perspective view of the end effectorassembly of FIG. 1, wherein the top jaw is shown with parts separated;

FIG. 3 is a side, perspective view of the housing of the forceps of FIG.1, with a half of the housing removed;

FIG. 4 is flow chart illustrating a method of sealing tissue inaccordance with the present disclosure;

FIG. 5 is a contour plot of mean burst pressure as a result of sealpressure and vessel size with 0.083 inch wide seal plates; and

FIG. 6 is a contour plot of the mean burst pressure as a result of sealpressure and vessel size with 0.029 inch wide seal plates.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Turning now to FIG. 1, an endoscopic forceps 10 is shown that includes ahousing 20, a handle assembly 30, a rotating assembly 80, a triggerassembly 70 and an end effector assembly 100. Forceps 10 furtherincludes a shaft 12 having a distal end 14 configured to mechanicallyengage end effector assembly 100 and a proximal end 16 that mechanicallyengages housing 20. Forceps 10 also includes electrosurgical cable 310that connects forceps 10 to a generator 300. Cable 310 has sufficientlength to extend through shaft 12 in order to provide electrical energyto at least one of jaw members 110 and 120 of end effector assembly 100.

With continued reference to FIG. 1, rotating assembly 80 is integrallyassociated with housing 20 and is rotatable approximately 180 degrees ineither direction about a longitudinal axis “A.” The housing 20 includestwo halves that house the internal working components of the forceps 10.Handle assembly 30 includes a moveable handle 40 and a fixed handle 50.Fixed handle 50 is integrally associated with housing 20 and handle 40is moveable relative to fixed handle 50 in the direction of arrow “B”(see FIG. 3).

Referring now to FIG. 2, end effector assembly 100 is configured formechanical attachment at the distal end 14 of shaft 12 of forceps 10.End effector assembly 100 includes a pair of opposing jaw members 110and 120. Handle 40 of forceps 10 (see FIG. 1) ultimately connects to adrive assembly (not shown) which, together, mechanically cooperate toimpart movement of the jaw members 110 and 120 from a first, openposition wherein the jaw members 110 and 120 are disposed in spacedrelation relative to one another, to a second, clamping or closedposition wherein the jaw members 110 and 120 cooperate to grasp tissuetherebetween.

With continued reference to FIG. 2, opposing jaw members 110 and 120 arepivotably connected about pivot 103 via pivot pin 105. Jaw members 110and 120 include electrically conductive sealing plates 112 and 122 thatare dimensioned to securely engage tissue when clamped therebetween.Each of the jaw members 110 and 120 also include a sensing component, orelectrode pair 114 and 124, respectively, disposed therethrough. Theelectrode pairs 114 and 124 cooperate to measure the impedance acrosstissue disposed between the jaw members 110 and 120. Electrode pair 114of jaw member 110, for example, may be configured to transmit alow-voltage alternating-current through tissue disposed between the jawmembers 110 and 120, while electrode pair 124 of jaw member 120 may beconfigured to receive the resulting voltage after it has passed throughtissue. It is also envisioned that this configuration may be reversed,e.g., where the transmitting electrodes are disposed through jaw member120 and where the receiving electrodes are disposed through jaw member110. In either configuration, the impedance across the tissue can bemeasured and used to determine the cross-sectional diameter of thetissue. Alternatively, the impedance across the tissue measured by thepairs of electrodes 114 and 124 can be used to determine the resistivityof the tissue. Since different components of tissue, e.g., muscle cells,fat cells and fluid, have different resistivities, determining theoverall resistivity of the tissue can help determine the relativecomposition of the tissue. Further, a second pair of electrodes (notshown) or sensors may be disposed through each of the jaw members 110and 120 such that the first set of electrode pairs 114 and 124 may beconfigured to measure the cross-sectional diameter of the tissue whilethe second set of electrode pairs is configured to measure theresistivity of the tissue.

It is also envisioned that any other suitable impedance sensingcomponent may be provided in cooperation with jaw members 110 and 120 tomeasure the cross-sectional diameter and/or to determine the compositionof tissue disposed between jaw members 110 and 120. Further, it isenvisioned that the sensing component could include sensors disposedalong the sealing plates 112 and 122 of jaw members 110 and 120,respectively, for sensing the gap distance between the respectivesealing plates 112 and 122. By determining the gap distance between thesealing plates 112 and 122 at different positions along the plates, thesize of the vessel grasped therebetween can be estimated.

Ultimately, the sensing component may be configured to measure anyelectrical or physical characteristic of tissue that may be used todetermine a diameter of tissue or tissue composition. Accordingly, anysensor that may be used to measure an electrical or physicalcharacteristic of tissue may be provided for use with end effectorassembly 100 of forceps 10. Suitable sensors include, but are notlimited to, impedance sensors, proximity sensors, optical sensors,ultrasonic sensors, chemical sensors, and the like.

Referring now to FIG. 3, housing 20 of forceps 10 is shown having a halfof housing 20 removed. A processing component 21, disposed withinhousing 20, is configured to receive an output, e.g., a cross-sectionaldiameter and/or a composition of tissue from the sensing component 114.One or more leads 33, 37 are disposed through the housing 20 and shaft12 to the jaw members 110 and 120 to provide feedback to the processingcomponent 21. The processing component 21 converts the output into aseal pressure according to specific the characteristics, e.g., thecross-sectional diameter and/or the composition, of the tissue to besealed. It is envisioned that the processing component 21 may determinethe minimum seal pressure required to adequately seal the tissuedisposed between the jaw members 110 and 120. Alternatively, theprocessing component 21 may be configured to determine a seal pressurerange for sealing tissue disposed between the jaw member 110 and 120.

The processing component 21 includes electrical circuitry 22 configuredto convert the output into a seal pressure, or seal pressure range, foradequately sealing tissue disposed between the jaw members 110 and 120.Electrical circuitry 22 may be configured to convert the output to aseal pressure according to specific parameters and/or data.Alternatively, electrical circuitry 22 may communicate with an externalsource, e.g. generator 300, for determining the seal pressurecorresponding to the tissue cross-sectional diameter and/or composition.Further, a computer chip (not shown) may be provided for storing dataand communicating with the electrical circuitry 22 in order to determinethe appropriate seal pressure, or seal pressure range, based upon theoutput from the sensing component 114. Specific data sets, e.g., the setof minimum seal pressures required for adequate sealing of vesselshaving varying cross-sectional diameters, may be used to convert theoutput cross-sectional diameter into a seal pressure. Algorithms canalso be used to determine the seal pressure based upon the specificoutput. Exemplary data, determined by a study of seal pressure as afunction of vessel size, for configuring the processing component 21,will be discussed in detail below.

With continued reference to FIG. 3, a regulating component 23 is shownin communication with the processing component 21 via lead 39.Regulating component 23 regulates movement of the jaw members 110 and120 such that the determined seal pressure, or seal pressure range, isimparted to tissue disposed therebetween. Regulating component 23 may bean electro-mechanical component or a mechanical component, e.g., asystem of gears 23, configured to define a specific range of motion ofmoveable handle 40 with respect to fixed handle 50. In such anembodiment, regulating component 23 would operate to limit thedisplacement of tabs 42 a and 42 b about pivot 43, thereby limiting themovement of moveable handle 40 with respect to fixed handle 50.Accordingly, a user would be prevented from squeezing handle 40 beyond acertain point. For example, if the determined seal pressure required toseal tissue disposed between jaw members 110 and 120 was relativelysmall, regulating component 23 would operate to prevent handle 40 frommoving past position “C.” However, if the determined seal pressure werelarger, regulating component 23 would operate to allow handle 40 to bemoveable to position “D.” The movement of handle 40 to specificpositions, e.g., position “C” or position “D,” corresponds to a specificseal pressure imparted to tissue, since handle 40 and drive assembly(not shown) cooperate to impart movement of the jaw members 110 and 120from the open to the closed position. Therefore, defining a specificrange of motion of handle 40 allows the determined seal pressure(corresponding to the fully squeezed position, e.g., position “C” orposition “D”) to be applied to tissue disposed between jaw members 110and 120. Accordingly, a user need not selectively squeeze handle 40 toapproximate the proper seal pressure, but may squeeze handle 40 throughits allowed range of motion (as defined by regulating component 23),thereby imparting the proper seal pressure to tissue disposed betweenjaw member 110 and 120.

As can be appreciated, the specific range of motion of handle 40 isdetermined by the seal pressure communicated to the regulating component23 by the processing component 21. Alternatively, regulating component23 may be electro-mechanically operated but may be configured tofunction in a similar manner. Further, any suitable regulating componentcapable of regulating movement of the jaw members 110 and 120 accordingto a determined seal pressure or seal pressure range, may be used inaccordance with the present disclosure.

With reference now to FIG. 4, a method of sealing tissue is shown foruse with forceps 10. First, a cross-sectional diameter and/orcomposition of tissue disposed through jaw members 110 and 120 of aforceps 10 is determined as an output. The output is then used todetermine a seal pressure required for adequately sealing tissueaccording to pre-determined data and/or specifications. The determinedseal pressure is then used to regulate the movement of the jaw members110 and 120 such that the determined seal pressure is applied to tissuebetween jaw member 110 and 120 to thereby effectively seal tissuedisposed therebetween.

As mentioned above, specific data may be input into the processingcomponent 21 to determine the appropriate seal pressure corresponding tothe specific tissue cross-sectional diameter and/or composition. In thestudy discussed above, vessels having diameters ranging from 2 mm to 6mm were sealed by applying seal pressures ranging from 40 psi to 120psi. Table 1, below, shows the results of the above-mentioned study,wherein the seal pressures indicated refer to the minimum seal pressurerequired to affect an adequate seal. The exemplary data represented inFIG. 1 corresponds to seal plate 112 and 122 (see FIG. 2) widths of0.083 inches.

VESSEL DIAMETER (mm) MINIMUM SEAL PRESSURE (psi) 2 41 3 30 4 37 5 60 6103

The minimum seal pressure was determined as the seal pressure requiredto produce a seal having a 98.5% probability of a burst pressure greaterthan 360 mmHg. However, depending on the vessel or tissue to be sealed,a greater (or smaller) burst pressure may be desired to ensure propersealing. As such, the data would need to be altered accordingly. FIG. 5shows the contour plot of the mean burst pressure as a result of sealpressure and vessel size with 0.083 inch wide seal plates 112 and 122.The points on the plot represent the probability of a burst pressuregreater than 360 mmHg according to the specific vessel size and sealpressure tested.

As mentioned above, this data may be used in conjunction with processingcomponent 21 of forceps 10 having seal plates 112 and 122 of 0.083 inchwidths, to determine the proper seal pressure to apply to a vesselhaving a given cross-sectional diameter. For example, end effectorassembly 100 of forceps 10 may be positioned such that a vessel isdisposed between jaw members 110 and 120. The sensing component 114 maythen determine that the cross-sectional diameter of the vessel is, forexample, 6 mm. This output, e.g., a 6 mm cross-sectional diameter, wouldthen be communicated to the processing component 21. If the processingcomponent 21 was configured with the data from Table 1, above, theprocessing component 21 would determine that a minimum seal pressure of120 psi would be required to effectively seal the 6 mm vessel disposedbetween the jaw members 110 and 120. Accordingly, the regulatingcomponent 23 would regulate the movement of the jaw members 110 and 120such that when handle 40 is squeezed, thereby closing jaw members 110and 120, a seal pressure of 120 psi is applied to seal the vesseldisposed between jaw members 110 and 120. Thus, the user can beconfident that the tissue seal created has approximately a 98.5%probability of a burst pressure greater than 360 mmHg. As can beappreciated, the input data can be adjusted to achieve a higher, orlower, seal quality probability.

Table 2, below, shows the results of the above-mentioned study, whereinthe seal plate 112 and 122 widths are 0.029 inches.

VESSEL DIAMETER (mm) MINIMUM SEAL PRESSURE (psi) 2 <23 3 33 4 33 5 54 692As with Table 1, the minimum seal pressures in Table 2 were determinedas the seal pressure required to produce a seal having a 98.5%probability of a burst pressure greater than 360 mmHg. FIG. 6,corresponding to the data of Table 2, shows the contour plot of the meanburst pressure as a result of seal pressure and vessel size with 0.029inch wide seal plates 112 and 122. As with the data from Table 1, thisdata may be used in conjunction with processing component 21 of forceps10 having seal plates 112 and 122 of 0.029 inch widths, to determine theproper seal pressure to apply to a vessel having a given cross-sectionaldiameter.

As described above, the minimum seal pressures required to adequatelyseal vessels having a given diameter shown in Table 1 and Table 2,above, may be input into the processing component 21. Thus, inoperation, as jaw member 110 and 120 of forceps 10 are moved to theclosed position with tissue grasped therebetween, regulating component23 ensures that the minimum seal pressure is applied to tissue, therebyhelping to ensure an effective seal. Regulating component 23 also helpsprevent tissue damage as a result of too much pressure being applied bypreventing excess pressure from being applied to the tissue. Further,the contour plots of FIGS. 5 and 6 may be used to define a seal pressurerange according to the vessel cross-sectional diameter determined by thesensing components 114 and 124.

Determining a minimum seal pressure is also useful in the design andmanufacturing of forceps, such as forceps 10. Knowing the minimum amountof pressure needed to seal a vessel having a particular diameterprovides a designer with a specific seal pressure the device must beable to achieve. For example, if a given forceps 10 is to be designedfor use with vessels ranging from 2 mm to 6 mm, the designer must createa forceps having a seal pressure capable of reaching the minimum sealpressure required for a 6 mm vessel. However, the designer need notcreate a forceps capable of achieving a higher seal pressure. Knowingthe actual force required for a given vessel size allows the designer toavoid unnecessary constraints while designing the forceps. This isespecially useful when designing forceps for use in laparoscopic and/orNOTES procedures, since it is difficult to achieve high seal pressureswith relatively small jaw members.

From the foregoing and with reference to the various figure drawings,those skilled in the art will appreciate that certain modifications canalso be made to the present disclosure without departing from the scopeof the same. While several embodiments of the disclosure have been shownin the drawings, it is not intended that the disclosure be limitedthereto, as it is intended that the disclosure be as broad in scope asthe art will allow and that the specification be read likewise.Therefore, the above description should not be construed as limiting,but merely as exemplifications of particular embodiments. Those skilledin the art will envision other modifications within the scope and spiritof the claims appended hereto.

1-11. (canceled)
 12. A forceps, comprising: an end effector assemblyincluding first and second jaw members disposed in opposing relationrelative to one another, at least one of the first and second jawmembers movable relative to the other from a first position to aplurality of second positions, the first and second jaw membersconfigured to grasp tissue therebetween in each of the plurality ofsecond positions, at least one of the first and second jaw membersincluding a sensor configured to sense at least one property of tissuedisposed between the first and second jaw members and determine anoutput based upon the at least one sensed property; a processorconfigured to receive the output from the sensor and determine a sealpressure for adequately sealing tissue disposed between the first andsecond jaw members based upon the output; and a regulator incommunication with the processor and configured to receive thedetermined seal pressure from the processor, the regulator configured,based on the determined seal pressure received, to regulate a range ofmotion of the first and second jaw members to between the first positionand a selected one of the plurality of second positions such thatmovement of the first and second jaw members from the first position tothe selected one of the plurality of second positions applies thedetermined seal pressure to tissue disposed between the first and secondjaw members.
 13. The forceps according to claim 12, further including ahandle assembly including a movable handle coupled to the end effectorassembly, the movable handle movable between an initial position and aplurality of subsequent positions for moving the first and second jawmembers between the first position and the plurality of secondpositions, respectively.
 14. The forceps according to claim 13, whereinthe regulator is configured to regulate a range of motion of the movablehandle to between the initial position and a selected one of thesubsequent positions to thereby regulate the range of motion of thefirst and second jaw members.
 15. The forceps according to claim 12,wherein each of the first and second jaw members includes a sensor, thesensors of the first and second jaw members configured to pass anelectrical signal through tissue disposed therebetween to measure anelectrical characteristic therethrough, to thereby determine the atleast one sensed property of tissue disposed therebetween.
 16. Theforceps according to claim 15, wherein the electrical characteristic isimpedance.
 17. The forceps according to claim 12, wherein the sensedproperty of tissue is cross-sectional diameter of tissue or compositionof tissue.
 18. The forceps according to claim 12, wherein the regulatorincludes at least one of a mechanically-driven system, anelectrically-driven system, or an electro-mechanically-driven system.19. The forceps according to claim 12, wherein the seal pressuredetermined by the processor is a minimum seal pressure required toadequately seal tissue according to the output.